MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies

The MEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies at the University of Hertfordshire is a unique, industry-accredited program that blends advanced aerospace engineering with pilot training. You’ll learn to design and operate aircraft from a pilot’s perspective, covering everything from structures and materials to aerodynamics, with opportunities for real and simulated flight experience.

Curriculum structure:

• Year 1: You’ll study Introduction to Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mathematics for Aerospace, Fundamentals of Aerospace Projects, Aerospace Mechanical Science, Fundamentals of Autonomous Systems Design, Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Programming for Aerospace Engineering, and Electronics for Aerospace Engineering. You’ll also use industry-standard computer packages and have the option to take a Flight Experience course at Northwestern Michigan College in the USA, flying over the Great Lakes (additional cost).

• Year 2: Core modules include Applied Aerodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics for Aerospace, Aerospace Materials, Aerospace Systems Modelling and Control, Aerospace Structural Mechanics, Aircraft Systems Integration, Aircraft Technical, Air Law and Operational Procedures. You’ll expand your knowledge of aerodynamics through wind tunnel experiments, study elements of PPL Ground School, and participate in group projects to design and manufacture a model aircraft for national competitions.

• Year 3: You will study a MEng Individual Project (Aerospace), Computational Analysis of Fluids and Structures, Flight Testing, Aircraft Propulsion, Professional Engineering and Quality Management, Navigation, Meteorology and Human Performance, Flight Performance, Planning and Communications, Pilot Training Experience, Rocket Performance and Propulsion, and Space Dynamics. The year involves a large group design project to design and test-fly a full-scale aircraft using simulators, and an individual research project.

• Year 4: Postgraduate modules include Engineering Management and Innovation, Stability and Control of Aircraft, Autonomous Aerospace Systems, Advanced Avionic Systems, Human Factors, and an important MEng Team Project. The last year has developed your leadership, management, and multidisciplinary engineering skills.

Specialisation areas: Aerodynamics, propulsion, flight mechanics, aircraft design, pilot training, avionics, space dynamics, engineering management.

Learning outcomes: Design and analyse aircraft, integrate pilot knowledge with engineering, employ computational and experimental methods, and handle multidisciplinary teams.

Professional alignment (accreditation): RAeS accredited; entirely satisfies Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration academic standards for 2022–2026 intakes.

Reputation (employability rankings): 1st in the East of England for Aeronautical & Aerospace Engineering (Complete University Guide 2024); excellent industry connections with Airbus, BAE Systems, and the Royal Air Force.